Monday News, April 1

Le Mars Police Still Investigating Fatal Gunshot Wound

(Le Mars) -- Le Mars Police are still investigating that fatal gunshot wound that happened Friday afternoon at 440 2nd Avenue Northeast. The incident occurred at about 3:39 p.m. when both the police and the Le Mars Ambulance responded to the scene. A 17 year old male was transported to the Floyd Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Le Mars Community High School opened its doors to students on Saturday afternoon allowing them to come together. Counselors were on hand.

Akron Fire Department Fights Grass Fire

(Akron) -- The Akron Fire Department responded to a grass fire that was reported on Saturday afternoon. The alarm came in shortly after 3:00 p.m. Fire officials went to 29636 County Road K-18 and were on the scene for nearly an hour and a half.

Traffic Stop Results In Drug Arrest

(Orange City) -- The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange City Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Thursday at the intersection of 2nd Street NW and Colorado Avenue in Orange City. The traffic stop stemmed from an ongoing joint investigation between the two agencies. As a result of the investigation, Andrew Hemmelman, age 18, of Orange City, was arrested for delivery of a controlled substance to a minor, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rock Valley Man Arrested For Animal Abuse

(Orange City) -- An 80 year old Rock Valley man has been arrested and charged with three counts of animal abuse. Sioux County authorities investigated a report of animal abuse. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Harvey Bolks illegally disposed of animals that belonged to another person. Bolks was arrested and charged on Thursday.

RiseFest 2013 To Have Cable TV's Reality Star

(Sheldon) -- RiseFest is an annual Christian music festival held in Northwest Iowa, and this year they're adding a popular reality star speaker to their usual music driven line-up. Brother Jep Robertson, from the popular A & E television series "Duck Dynasty" will be at the June 15th event in Sheldon. Event organizer Rob Roozeboom explains what made them pursue this reality TV Star.

Listen to

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The entertainment line-up also includes the bands Mercy Me, Sidewalk Prophets and singers Matthew West and American Idol's Mandisa.

Roozeboom says that another addition to this Father's Day weekend event is the ability to make a weekend of it with camping available on Friday night.

Listen to

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Also at RiseFest there will be: A Kids Zone, food and drinks, seminars and speakers. Event tickets are $15 each for groups of 10 or more and $17.50 for single passes until May 1st. After that, prices do go up a bit. Kids 10 and under are always free. Tickets are available at The Family Christian Store in Sioux City and Dove Christian Bookstore in Orange City. Tickets and other information is also available online at www.riseministries.com. Again, RiseFest in Sheldon is Fathers Day weekend, June 14th, 15th and 16th.

Branstad Hopes Regent Nominees To Be Affirmed

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - If two of Governor Terry Branstad's nominees to the Board of Regents are not confirmed by the Senate, some think the political fallout could jeopardize progress on toughissues like education spending and health care. Democratic senators say two of Branstad's three nominees to the board that oversees Iowa's public universities face problems winning confirmation. Board President Craig Lang and businessman Robert Cramer were not backed by the Senate education committee. GOP fundraiser and Branstad adviser Doug Gross says there could be bad blood in the Capitol if the nomination process doesn't change course. The nominations require a two-thirds approval vote by April 15th.in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority.

Donators of Land To Be Recognized

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Governor Terry Branstad and legislators will recognize those who donated land in Iowa for permanent recreation and conservation use. The event, called the Gift to Iowa's Future, will be at the state Capitol on Monday morning. Individuals, corporations and organizations that donated land for permanent use as parks, trailand wildlife habitats will be honored at the event. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation worked with 11 of the donors, including the Union Pacific Railroad, to identify $1.7 million worth of land for the cause. The first Monday in April is designated as the Gift to Iowa's Future Recognition Day, an effort which started in 2008.

Economic Survey Shows Small Rise

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A monthly economic survey index for nine Midwest and Plains states jumped last month, suggesting improving economic growth for the region over the next three to six months. The Mid-America Business Conditions index hit 58.2 in March, compared with 53.1 in February and 53.2 in January. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he credits the index jump to "the strongest new-orders growth in two years." The survey of business leaders and supply managers uses a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth while a score below 50suggests decline for that factor. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota. ---

18 Year Old Charged With Arson For Knoxville Fire

KNOXVILLE, Iowa (AP) - An 18-year-old Iowa man is facing an arson charge in connection with the fire that destroyed a downtown Knoxville building. Nicholas Carter of Knoxville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree arson. Carter was released after posting bond, but authorities say additional charges linked to the March 25 fire are possible. A vacant, two-story commercial building in Knoxville was destroyed inthe fire. Carter was released on bond Saturday. ---

Branstad to Honor Harlem Globetrotters

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Gov. Terry Branstad will honor the Harlem Globetrotters at the Iowa Capitol. Branstad is scheduled to sign a proclamation Monday declaring April 1 to be Harlem Globetrotters Day. At least one member of the exhibition basketball team will be in attendance. The Globetrotters are scheduled to appear in Des Moines at the Wells Fargo Arena on April 7. The sporty entertainers are known as the "Clown Princes of Basketball." The Harlem Globetrotters are scheduled to appear at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City on Wednesday, April 3rd.